Fruit jar or can



No. 6l0,897. Patented Sept. 20, I898. S. J. DUNKLEY. FRUIT JAB on CAN.

(Application filed Nov. 2, 1897.)

(No Model.)

W itnesses. I nventor.

Attorney.

TATE S llrrn FRUIT JAR OR CAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 610,897, datedseptember 20, 1898.

Application filed November 2, 1897. Serial N01 657,204:- (No model.)

-T0 at whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, SAMUEL J. DUNKLEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at the city of Kalamazoo, in the county of Kalamazoo and Stateof Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Fruit Jar or Can, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in fruit jars or cans, andparticularly to the fastening means of fruit-jar or can covers.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple and eflicientfastening for fruit-jar tops or covers which is neat in appearance andwhich does not prevent the packages from being properly stored orpacked.

A further object is to provide an improved spring-fastening adapted tobe snapped into position on the top of a fruit jar or can, in which thespring is so formed that it presents a double leverage upon the top toretain it firmly against its gasket.

Further objects will definitely appear in the detailed description.

I accomplish these objects of my invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the specification, definitely pointed out in the claims,and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whiol1- Figure 1 is aplan View of a fruit-jar with my improved fastening in position. Fig. 2is a transverse detail sectional view on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is aside elevation of the spring-fastening removed from the can.

In the drawings similarletters of reference refer to similar partsthroughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawings, A is theupper portionof a fruit can or jar. Around the top of the same is a heavy flange A,which is square-shouldered on its under side for the spring-fastener toengage the same and is also square-shouldered at the top to form asuitable seat for the gasket or can-rubber D. A cover B is provided forthe same and is adapted to fit against the flange A to compress thegasket in place thereon.

The lower edge of the cover B is provided with a bead B, which pressesfirmlyinto the gasket to insure a tight joint. This, however, does notpertain particularly to my invention, but is found necessary to securethe best results. The cancover is flat or slightly beveled toward itsperiphery on top and is made convex toward the center. A spring clasp Ofor retaining the same is made of a strip of spring metal or otherelastic material,which is bowed down slightly at the center 0 andextends straight out corresponding to the flat or beveled portion of thetop of the can, then bent down, and terminates. abruptlyin a hookO",which engages under the flange A on the top of the can. The structureof this particular style of can-cover and spring secures the advantagesof a double leverage. When the spring is put upon the top of the can andpressed down, the concave portion 0 presses against the concave port-ionof the cover, and when the pressure is continued toward the edge theportion toward the edge contacts with the cover and forms a lever backedup bythe full spring of the convex. portion until the hooks O snap underthe flange. By this means, it will be noted, the full elasticity of thespring is secured and the spring holds from a comparatively short lever,which of course means greatly-increased stiffness of the spring. By thismeans the cover is held very tight.

From the construction of the can-top as the hook engages the squareshoulder of the flange A the cover cannot be pulled off without breakingthe fastening. The cover is removed by inserting any suitable instrumentunder the side of the spring and forcing the hook C out of engagement.The spring fits very closely the top side of the cover, and the cans areable to be massed and set one upon the other on shelves or stored awaywithout difficulty. This,it is apparent, saves much packing material andmuch space.

The same contour of spring I have shown might be preserved with wiresprings for engaging under the top of the flange. The present springwill be preferred because it leaves aflat surface for packing the cansaway.

Other styles of gaskets thanthe rubber D might be used in thisconnection and for some purposes no gasket at all.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecureby Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of the can A, with a flange A at the top with asquare shoulder on its under side and a shoulder on its upper side toreceive a gasket; a gasket D Y resting thereon a cover B for said canthat is convex toward its center and adapted to fit on the top of thecan; and a spring-fastener 0 e011- cave at the center with a straightportion toward each end and bended down terminating in a hook S at eachend to engage under the square-shouldered flange at the top of the canfor the purpose specified.

2. In the combination of a jar or can having suitable square shoulder orshoulders at the top for engagement of hooks; the cancover which isconvex at the center with a fiat portion toward the periphery and aspring convex toward its center and folded to conform to the top of thecan and terminating in hooks adapted to engage the shoulders or shoulderon the upper part of the jar or can for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presenceof two witnesses.

SAMUEL J. DUN KLEY. [L. s]

WVitnesses: I

LELA M. BROWN, 0131s A. EARL.

